Finished in January of 2007, we’re enjoying our second Christmas of advent calendar love. Last year I went all out, each day’s gift thoughtfully procured, hidden around the house, and clever, rhyming riddles tucked snuggly in the pockets. This year…well… I purchased a Lego advent calendar and thoughtfully stuffed each day’s toy into the corresponding pocket. I’m learning to go easier on myself and appreciate the ritual over perfection of execution.
Last year’s big December storm provided the branch. A yard of ribbon wrapped to the stick at either end makes it easy to hang.
I get more requests via e-mail to make this a pattern than anything else I’ve ever blogged about. 2009 is going to be the year!
Two of the patterns for give-away were Christmas themed so I went ahead and selected two names this morning: #6 Mama Urchin and #73 Organizing Mommy. I’ll get these on the sleigh pronto.
The original posts about the creation of the advent calendar:
Kathy Mack
Carrie + Diana
I had found this on flickr a while back – it is so fun! Love the branch for hanging too
WOW. I posted my just-finished-this-morning calendar today as well, and I am having advent envy. This is spectacular.
You are so right about the ritual being more important than perfection. We use a five-year old kit advent calendar and this year I stuffed it with the Halloween candy the kids didn’t eat. My lack of creativity hasn’t dampened their love of the advent countdown in the least.
What a beautiful calendar! I plan to make a handmade calendar every year for my two children and have failed spectacularly so far. Yours is lovely.
Hooray Hooray!
Seriously, this is gorgeous. It was gorgeous when I drooled over it last year and it is still gorgeous this year. All the time you spent deliberating over design choices really paid off. I would actually pay for a pattern, and I’m really not even into patterns (I look & improvise & then live to regret) because I want to make a calendar just like this one. Because it’s perfect.
LOVE your Advent calendar. Definitely get a pattern put together, I will be the first to buy!
I was totally inspired by yours that I made my own slightly wonkier version. Last year I put notes and treats in the pockets, this year, I didn’t even get it up until the 4th!
Yay for taking it easier on yourself. Thoughtful is thoughtful, right? Maybe one of these days we’ll all finally remember that and get past the panic and stress. I almost bought one of those Lego Advent calendars, how do your girls like it?
It looks fabulous Kathy! I love the stick and ribbon too.
That is beautiful! I’ve been thinking about what type of advent calendar to make and this seems perfect! Thanks for the links back to your original process, I loved reading about it. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas.
Love the advent calendar. Really looking forward to the patter (O:
Oh Please please PLEASE make a pattern! I found you while doing a search for advent calendars, so this was my introduction to your blog, and also to the whole world of crafty bloggers, which I had no idea even existed! I loved it so much I printed it out and hung it on my wall at work.
Happy Holidays!
Kathy, I have always loved your advent calendar! It’s nice to see it hanging on your wall. BEAUTIFUL!!
Love this so much! It is absolutely precious. Maybe next year I will get an advent calendar up in time. I love seeing how creative people get with them
Kathy this is wonderful — I’m among those who have never bought a crafty pattern, but would for this. How about a ‘Christmas in July’ feature, to give folks some time to get it done before the holiday rush?
The advent calendar is wonderful and I especially love the branch and ribbon hanger!!
An advent calendar is always on the list…oh the list! This one is fabulous.
This is beautiful. I have never been tempted to quilt before, but now I am. I’d love a pattern!
I too have always admired your advent calender. I made a qulted one from a pattern a few years ago which I am so proud of (even though I still have to pin the bags on as I haven’t done the buttons). I have two dughters though and would definately make a second one so they could each have their own … if you did a pattern for us! Natasha
Okay so I NEED this pattern! I have no idea to quilt but dream that one day I too will be an accomplished quilter. I am looking into classes in the new year and would purchase your pattern as an incentive! Please take the time to create the pattern! Yes I’m pleading LOL!
Your blog is wonderful and I hope in the near future to shop in your store for this pattern and others as well as some delicious fabric! I’m so inspired!
Merry Christmas!
Kelly O.
I’ve seen a lot of adorable advent calendars on the internet this year, but yours is by far my favorite!
this is so wonderful! thanks for sharing.
[...] an advent calendar- did you see this one? Or this one? Or this amazing solstice [...]
Pattern….definitely. I would love to make this!!!!!
This is beautiful. The found-branch is an especially whimsical and rustic touch, which I adore. I am SO beginner in sewing/quilting that I am actually PRE-beginner in such a way that I am still dreaming, starting to learn, and about to jump in hands-on… you know, in the “gazing with wonder and awe” stage. Such projects as your lovely Christmasy project have certainly tickled my fancy. I hope to get started learning and doing for 2009… will definitely check back here to see if you have posted a pattern for purchase.
Happy New Year!
Lynette: Your note gave me a great smile. I purchased a Kaffe Fassett quilt book back in 2001 having no idea how to make a quilt. I looked at it for over 4 years before finally taking a quilt class in 2005. When I showed up for the first class the quilt to be made was from the book. I figured it was meant to be!
I watched you make this last year and was inspired to make my own. Well, inspired to want to make my own, I never got around to one this year. I am very excited to hear you will be making a pattern for it. This is by far the cutest advent calendar I have seen.
Must have been serendipity!
[...] I feel very inspired to make an Advent quilt like this… maybe next [...]
[...] beauty has also been lurking in the corners of my mind – and it was posted on Pink Chalk Studio back in December of 2008. . [...]